Evaluating acute myocardial infarction symptom recognition in women

When acute myocardial infarction (AMI) occurs, prompt medical treatment is of critical importance for the best outcome. Reducing the time between the onset of symptoms and treatment seeking is considered important in reducing mortality among women with AMI. A telephone survey using random digit dialing was conducted to assess the current understanding of acute myocardial infarction of 349 women in the Greater Vancouver area. This preliminary work is important for designing strategies designed to educate women and reduce the help-seeking portion of treatment delay in women experiencing acute myocardial infarction. Two response variables were examined: intention to delay and likelihood of responding appropriately to myocardial infarction symptoms. The results of this study revealed that women have not yet personalized information that they are at risk for AMI. The participants indicated a need for more information pertaining to symptom recognition for AMI; they were largely unaware that females experience AMI somewhat differently than do males. The participants were less aware of the risks that diabetes, obesity and menopause pose for AMI. The findings of this study illuminate the concern that women have problems recognizing AMI symptoms and are not likely to respond appropriately. Women who indicated that they would feel embarrassed if they made a "false alarm visit" to an emergency room (ER) for suspicious symptoms were significantly less likely to indicate that they would respond appropriately to AMI symptoms. Additionally, women who had visited ER in the past were less likely to indicate that they would respond appropriately to AMI symptoms. Furthermore, there is cause for concern that 36% of women intend to delay treatment seeking for AMI. Variables significantly associated with intention to delay were embarrassment of a false alarm, preference for self-care management, being an immigrant, and lower educational attainment. A multidimensional approach will be needed to address the information needs of women pertaining to AMI recognition and treatment seeking. Not only should health promotion campaigns deliver the information women need, but clinicians in direct contact with women, particularly those women at risk for AMI, should be aware that treatment delay for women with AMI is problematic. Health-care providers can help disseminate information to women encouraging prompt and appropriate treatment seeking for AMI. Because women who had visited ER were significantly less likely to respond appropriately to AMI symptoms, it is important that strategies for improving ER experiences be considered. Recommendations for further research include the consideration that the decision to seek treatment for AMI symptoms is likely to be multidimensional. Psychological, emotional, and social factors, in addition to cognitive understanding, are components of the complicated process of deciding to seek treatment for AMI.Applied Science, Faculty ofNursing, School ofGraduat